Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 904

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Please help

Posted by Susan on October 17, 1998, at 0:28:09

About three years ago I began taking Desyrel after trying Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. At that time I was under a great deal of stress and symptoms included anxiety, agitation, and sleeplessness; however, the psychiatrist referred to it as a "vegetative depression" because I was most comfortable with isolating myself and doing absolutely nothing.

The SSRIs didn't work at all and, in fact, increased the anxiety and caused tremors. To me, Desyrel was a miracle drug (even with hair loss). I felt better than I had in many years; focused, energized, productive, and happy. After about nine months, however, the old symptoms began creeping back; the fatigue, lack of energy, and disinterest in activities. I tried increasing the Desyrel, I tried adding Serazone, I tried Wellbutrin. Nothing worked. The Serazone and Wellbutrin produced dizziness and irritability and did nothing for the depression.

A few months ago, I began taking Desyrel again but the symptoms have simply worsened with crying episodes for no apparent reason, isolation, and general inertia. My doctor recommended adding Synthroid, Ritilan, or Dexedrine but I have a history of cardiovascular disease and the cardiologist says that tricyclics, MAOIs, and stimulants are out of the question.

Other medications include Zocor and Toprol XL. I also recently had hormone levels checked and estrogen is as it should be; however, to regulate irregular bleeding the gynecologist has prescribed Provera. I understand that hormone therapy can exacerbate depressive symptoms so I haven't yet begun taking it.

I'm just about at the end of my rope and feeling a bit desperate. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Re: Please help

Posted by Toby on October 21, 1998, at 8:42:06

In reply to Please help, posted by Susan on October 17, 1998, at 0:28:09

Talk to your cardiologist about Pamelor or Norpramin. They are tricyclics, but have the least effect on the heart (the Desyrel is also a tricyclic and you apparently haven't had any heart problems from that).

Luvox is another SSRI type that is FDA approved in this country only for OCD but is used in Europe for depression as well. It may help with the anxiety.

Remeron is another very good agent for anxious depression that helps with insomnia as well. Very few side effects other than weight gain, but if you are conscious of that from the beginning, most people can avoid overeating.

 

Re: Please help

Posted by Susan on October 23, 1998, at 10:45:03

In reply to Re: Please help, posted by Toby on October 21, 1998, at 8:42:06

> Talk to your cardiologist about Pamelor or Norpramin. They are tricyclics, but have the least effect on the heart (the Desyrel is also a tricyclic and you apparently haven't had any heart problems from that).
> Luvox is another SSRI type that is FDA approved in this country only for OCD but is used in Europe for depression as well. It may help with the anxiety.
> Remeron is another very good agent for anxious depression that helps with insomnia as well. Very few side effects other than weight gain, but if you are conscious of that from the beginning, most people can avoid overeating.

Thank you for the advice and information. I talked with my doctor before reading your message and he thinks Wellbutrin is worth another try but this time in conjunction with Desyrel. My only real objection to Wellbutrin was the irritability, sleeplessness, and cognitive problems I had while taking it the last time. Hopefully, the Desyrel will counter some of those effects and boost the antidepressant effect. The real problem right now is not anxiety but inertia and lack of energy and motivation. If the Wellbutrin doesn't work, my doctor thinks Effexor, which I've never taken before, might be another reasonable alternative. When I see him again next month I'll ask him specifically about the drugs you've suggested too.

Thanks again for you help. It's much appreciated.

 

Re: Please help

Posted by Maggie on January 8, 1999, at 13:28:43

In reply to Please help, posted by Susan on October 17, 1998, at 0:28:09

It sounds like you might have what I am diagnosed with. It's called Obsessive Compulsive Behavior (OCD). After going through my family & personal history I found that I have had this problem all my life, caused by a lack of seratonian in my brain. I too had at times unreasonable crying, feeling worthless and a constant need of being accepted & Like by others. Everyone just called me sensative or just plain nuts when I would obsess over this. I went for 29 years of this (and alot of couseling). Finally a little over a year ago I went to a depression screeneing and then went another couselor. At first thought of as depression, after a serious breakdown causing a job-threatening incident, it was found that had OCD, in my case in the area's of "rejection sensitivity" and obessive worrying. I am now taking 300 mg of serzone daily and have regular sessions with both a counselor and a psychiatrist and attend a support group for OCD people. OCD was just studied and confirmed only about 2 years ago. Usually it's most commonly linked with those who obsessive hand-washers, number counters, or fear of contanimation. My"Rejection Sensitivity" is not often talked about in articles but it paralyzes your life just like the others. I have learned a lot about OCD when I had to teach myself how to help the drugs by learning coping techniques. There are many books on the subject and there's a lot of information on the internet searching "OCD". Also a great movie to watch that deals with it is the Jack Nicholson movie, "As Good As It Gets" and many magazine articles in the past year have mentioned many well-known people has this almost manic Depression behavior, such as Robin Williams and Albert Einstein. You're not alone. I urge you to talk to your doctor about OCD, it may improve your life.

 

Re: Please help - Susan, Maggie

Posted by Elizabeth on January 8, 1999, at 14:03:36

In reply to Re: Please help, posted by Maggie on January 8, 1999, at 13:28:43

Hey Susan, if you're still around, I have a question - what specific cardiovascular disease(s) have you had?

Maggie: "rejection sensitivity" has been around as a concept for a while...I think Dr. Klein was the first to characterize it (in the late '60s, I think). It's often part of depression or generalised anxiety disorder, but I don't think it's specifically associated with OCD. Peter Kramer discusses it some in _Listening to Prozac_.

People with OCD usually have ritualistic behaviours (such as counting, checking the locks on the door, or washing their hands) that are often related to specific obsessions (fear of germs, etc.). I don't think the kind of rumination you describe is so much an OCD thing.

Toby, others - thoughts?

 

Re: Please help - Susan, Maggie

Posted by Nancy on January 8, 1999, at 15:46:18

In reply to Re: Please help - Susan, Maggie, posted by Elizabeth on January 8, 1999, at 14:03:36

> Hey Susan, if you're still around, I have a question - what specific cardiovascular disease(s) have you had?
> Maggie: "rejection sensitivity" has been around as a concept for a while...I think Dr. Klein was the first to characterize it (in the late '60s, I think). It's often part of depression or generalised anxiety disorder, but I don't think it's specifically associated with OCD. Peter Kramer discusses it some in _Listening to Prozac_.
> People with OCD usually have ritualistic behaviours (such as counting, checking the locks on the door, or washing their hands) that are often related to specific obsessions (fear of germs, etc.). I don't think the kind of rumination you describe is so much an OCD thing.
> Toby, others - thoughts?

That's a very provocative question. I'd like to know that for myself!
Nancy

 

Re: Please help

Posted by Randy on June 7, 1999, at 15:32:13

In reply to Please help, posted by Susan on October 17, 1998, at 0:28:09

> About three years ago I began taking Desyrel after trying Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. At that time I was under a great deal of stress and symptoms included anxiety, agitation, and sleeplessness; however, the psychiatrist referred to it as a "vegetative depression" because I was most comfortable with isolating myself and doing absolutely nothing.
> The SSRIs didn't work at all and, in fact, increased the anxiety and caused tremors. To me, Desyrel was a miracle drug (even with hair loss). I felt better than I had in many years; focused, energized, productive, and happy. After about nine months, however, the old symptoms began creeping back; the fatigue, lack of energy, and disinterest in activities. I tried increasing the Desyrel, I tried adding Serazone, I tried Wellbutrin. Nothing worked. The Serazone and Wellbutrin produced dizziness and irritability and did nothing for the depression.
> A few months ago, I began taking Desyrel again but the symptoms have simply worsened with crying episodes for no apparent reason, isolation, and general inertia. My doctor recommended adding Synthroid, Ritilan, or Dexedrine but I have a history of cardiovascular disease and the cardiologist says that tricyclics, MAOIs, and stimulants are out of the question.
> Other medications include Zocor and Toprol XL. I also recently had hormone levels checked and estrogen is as it should be; however, to regulate irregular bleeding the gynecologist has prescribed Provera. I understand that hormone therapy can exacerbate depressive symptoms so I haven't yet begun taking it.
> I'm just about at the end of my rope and feeling a bit desperate. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated.
> Thanks.
>
I have taken several of the drugs you have tried. Trazadone which is deseryl caused me some addiction problems and some sleep problems. I have just started Serazone becasue of side effects of Prozac or Paxil. May I ask what dosage you were at on the serazone? It seems to be helping me even though it keeps me awake. I suggest that you try the hormones but start a regular excersize program. I know that thgis is very hard when you are depressed but I have found nothing including the drugs that I am on that help as much as that.

Good luck. My heart goes out to you as I have suffered and continue to suffer.

Randy


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